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emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was lovely and heartwarming. The ending didn’t land with me as well as the previous instalment but I enjoyed my time on the island
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not the perfect standalone that Cerulean was, but still a cozy, affirming read. The characters from book 1 that felt underdeveloped are more developed here, and the sweeties we know already still remain prominent. Klune is a true gem - the humour, joy, and unconditional love these books ooze is such a balm for the soul. Alternated between wanting to devour in one sitting and wanting to savour it for as long as I could.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Colonisation
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not quite the same vibe as the first one. The villian was verging on cartoonishly villainous. I liked the first one better but it was still good. I want more of the kids, less Arthur, sorry Arthur.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Hate crime, Racism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved this book. I knew, well hoped that I would love this book and I did. T.J. Klune's House in the Cerulean Sea is one of my favorite books. Somewhere Beyond the Sea is the ideal kind of follow-up, it far surpasses the first in it's character, beauty, and message. I had no idea what to expect from a sequel, but what T.J. Klune has done here has created a seed of hope for me as a trans person. His narrative challenges the culture of discrimination that we currently exist within, a world divided between those in power and those without rights and dignity.
For those who loved the children in the first book, you will love them even more in the sequel. You will love all of the people of Marsyas more than you ever thought possible. And you will hate the government even more as the true pain they've enacted upon magical youths and adults is revealed. Somewhere Beyond the Sea dives into historical and personal trauma and so I warn those looking to read this wonderful book, to please be in a place where you can have space to comfortably process any emotions that Arthur's story, Zoe's story, and the children's stories may bring up in you.
This book is about fighting for those your love and for what is right while learning to love and forgive yourself in the process. This book is about coming together as a community, realizing those you share space with you are more like you than what meets the eye. This book is about challenging yourself and overcoming fear. This book is all this and more and I am better for having read it.
For those who loved the children in the first book, you will love them even more in the sequel. You will love all of the people of Marsyas more than you ever thought possible. And you will hate the government even more as the true pain they've enacted upon magical youths and adults is revealed. Somewhere Beyond the Sea dives into historical and personal trauma and so I warn those looking to read this wonderful book, to please be in a place where you can have space to comfortably process any emotions that Arthur's story, Zoe's story, and the children's stories may bring up in you.
This book is about fighting for those your love and for what is right while learning to love and forgive yourself in the process. This book is about coming together as a community, realizing those you share space with you are more like you than what meets the eye. This book is about challenging yourself and overcoming fear. This book is all this and more and I am better for having read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Murder, War
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
You made us all believe we could do anything. Now you have to trust us to do that.
This felt like an extended epilogue to the first book: not much story development, or really anything in the way of story that wasn’t rehashing the same points. Was it necessary? I don’t think so. But was it incredibly enjoyable and very welcome and such a great foray back into the familiar? Very much so. It’s the kind of thing you normally get from fanfic, except straight from the author.
All the characters from the island remain their lovable selves. I expected to be surprised in some way by Arthur’s POV, but, when viewed from his own head, he proved to be exactly the person I knew him to be from the first book, which is a testament to characterization here, for sure. The kids were all awesome, and I loved Lucy even more here, perhaps, then in the first installment. Of course doing good stuff for people he cares about makes the spiders in his head fall asleep. Of course he likes the quiet that he fills with dead-people music. Of course.
The heartwarming feel is still there, along with the acknowledgment of trauma being healed and new ways of being getting learned. There’s perhaps an even bigger focus on parental love than there was in book one (not surprising with the POV change; Linus has definitely stepped up as the second father figure, but Arthur has been playing the role longer and is deeper entrenched in it.) There’s a lot of hope, a lot of working through the cracks, and a lot of things working out well not because it’s 100% plausible, but because they should. Because it’s right that they do.
Some books just genuinely can benefit from a novel-sized epilogue, that’s what I’m saying.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Genocide
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I adore Arthur, while his story definitely shone light to the theme that wasn't quite tackled on the first book, I expected most of the events on this one.
Also note that I am deeply attached to Mr Linus Baker so first book is still my beloved but this sequel is still loved. Like the rest of the characters, I'm also usually disagreeing with public figures (politicians), because it's true. They put themselves above the people that they serve. Arthur and his family's frustration can be felt. Peole are always blinded by hate and refrain from understanding a new perspective if it didn't fit with theirs.
I hope the world learns to be more understanding, albeit not as welcoming but open to differences and deviate from the norm.
Also note that I am deeply attached to Mr Linus Baker so first book is still my beloved but this sequel is still loved. Like the rest of the characters, I'm also usually disagreeing with public figures (politicians), because it's true. They put themselves above the people that they serve. Arthur and his family's frustration can be felt. Peole are always blinded by hate and refrain from understanding a new perspective if it didn't fit with theirs.
I hope the world learns to be more understanding, albeit not as welcoming but open to differences and deviate from the norm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Deportation
Moderate: War
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"hope is the thing with fire"
i NEEDED to read this book exactly right now.
make no mistake, as stated in the dedication this one is specifically for the trans community.
as the rights of trans children across the USA are being attacked and destroyed, i needed to read a sweet, inspiring, hopefully story about a motely crew of "monster" children under attack by a goverment focused on "keeping humans safe" to the detriment of all other beings.
i really enjoyed the first book in the series, but i absolutely LOVED this one.
to be able to feel a tiny amount of the frustration, fear, anger and disgust i have been holding onto for months and focus it on the close-minded and hateful characters in this book was a really healthy and helpful exercise in being present with my emotions.
i spoke out loud to the characters, shouted in frstration, and cried happy tears multiple times while reading.
the beauty and complexity of the characters, the depth of the trauma exploration, the reminder that change- drastic change- is possible, all wound up in an adorable, hilarious, and at times supremely silly bow, was exactly what the dr. prescribed.
thank you for the reminder that critical hope is a magical, transformative force, TJ Klune.
i NEEDED to read this book exactly right now.
make no mistake, as stated in the dedication this one is specifically for the trans community.
as the rights of trans children across the USA are being attacked and destroyed, i needed to read a sweet, inspiring, hopefully story about a motely crew of "monster" children under attack by a goverment focused on "keeping humans safe" to the detriment of all other beings.
i really enjoyed the first book in the series, but i absolutely LOVED this one.
to be able to feel a tiny amount of the frustration, fear, anger and disgust i have been holding onto for months and focus it on the close-minded and hateful characters in this book was a really healthy and helpful exercise in being present with my emotions.
i spoke out loud to the characters, shouted in frstration, and cried happy tears multiple times while reading.
the beauty and complexity of the characters, the depth of the trauma exploration, the reminder that change- drastic change- is possible, all wound up in an adorable, hilarious, and at times supremely silly bow, was exactly what the dr. prescribed.
thank you for the reminder that critical hope is a magical, transformative force, TJ Klune.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, Violence
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Unlike the first one, it seemed a little pushy in the first half. The first and second half felt like different books. The characters were still just as loveable!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment